What is a service locator in microservices architecture?

What is a service locator in microservices architecture?

A service locator is a design pattern used to provide a central registry for services in a microservices architecture. It helps in locating and accessing services without hardcoding their dependencies.

How does it differ from dependency injection?

While both patterns manage dependencies, dependency injection provides them at runtime, promoting loose coupling. In contrast, a service locator centralizes service access, which can lead to tighter coupling.

What are the pros and cons of using a service locator?

Pros include centralized service management and easier service discovery. Cons involve potential tight coupling and difficulties in testing due to hidden dependencies.

Can you give an example of a service locator implementation?

Sure! In Java, you might use a ServiceLocator class that holds a map of service instances. You can retrieve a service by calling a method like getService(Class<T> serviceClass).